The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-19
CHARITY'S CLEARINGHOUSE
Review of the Organization Society's
Work During the Last Year.
Some Of the Impostors and Undeserving
Persons Who Applied for Aid.

and the last years work has been approved
| The executive committee authorized by the
| society to take charge of the work of soliciting
| funds. It was decided to hold the annual pub
lie meeting at Englisn's Opera-house on Sunday
evening, Nov 81, when an interesting pro-
| gramme will be presented. In the election of
members for the Council for the next year, the
| Mayor and officers of the public benevolent in
| situations were chosen MEMBERS as well rep
resen tatives of all of the charitable societies in
the city. together with A. G. Porter Isaac P.
Gray, Rev. NJ. L. Hanes. NJ. OConner. E. II.
| Dean, v K. Hendricks, Hermann Lieber,
| Edward Daniels, Charles Martindale, II. Bam-
berger. Isaac Thalman, John a. Lang, W. R.
| Sylvester and A. Metzeer. The executive COM
mittee for next year consists of w. A Krag, n
Morris. W. P. Fishback, E. B. Martindale and
| &C. McCulloch.
The executive committee presented report
reviewing the society's work, as follows: "It
has been a little seven years since the Char
ity ORGANIZATION Society of this city formed,
and the good work it has accomplished in that
time has demonstrated its value and entities 1t
to the most careful consideration and earnest
support of every citizen of this community. In
that time there have come before it ,513 cases.
representing 1857 persons These cases have all
received prompt attention, and, wherever prac-
ticable. have been subjected to careful and in
telligent investigation. Wherever relief was
deserved, it has been promptly provided; but
where it was not deserved, it has not only been
refused, but steps have been taken to relieve the
community of the demanding it. During
the past year there have been 672 applications
for aid coming from families mum bering 2491
persons. This shows large decrease from the
number of applications made the preceding
year, which were 81S, and represented 3,242
persons. An examination and comparison of
of the societv's reports for the past several
years will show marked and steady improve
ment in the condition of the poorer classes of
the city-those who become dependent and
charges upon the community by reason of sick
ness, want and inability to help themselves-as
also reduction of the pauper and vagrant ele-
rnent that infest every large city and hourshes
wherever il Is permitted to do so
''Of the handled this past year there
were 20S worthy of relief, against 232 OF the
preceding year. The cases needing work rather
than relief were 119. against 224 passed upon in
1856 The cases not requiring, unworthy or not
entitled to relief were 34o while the year before
they numbered 1862
..Anyone having doubt of the usefulness of
this society will soon have it dspelled by inquir-
ing into it's objects and methods, and the result
of each years work. Such inquiry is most
earnestly invited as 1t is the aim. we'll as the
hope. of committee that the coming year
may witness increased interest In the soci-
ety's affairs. and, what is more, the hearty CO.
operation of every good citizen. This is desired
in facs, needed.
eat the time this society was formed there
existed in this country eleven similar societies,
but the necessity for charity organizations in
cities has become well recognized that at
this time there in active operation fifty-two
societies OF kindred character located In cities
representing more than one-seyenth the entire
population OF the United States This alone is
sufficient to indicate the healthy growth of the
IDEA that gave birth to society, and the
rectness OF the principles upon which 1t is
founded.
1.-THE work of the society covers large field.
and embraces every subject which involves or
affects the interests and welfare of the poor and
afflicted. 1t investigates the causes of pauper-
ism and vice. and with well-considered measures
undertakes provide against them. 1t lends
helping deserving. O
mote whatever tends to the anent ir-ss-ove-
ment of the poor. Those who have heretofore
directed the course of the society have acco m
plshed little in this direction. and their
efforts are felt and appreciated; but there yet
remains much TO be done. Each day presents
some question which must be considered
some old question in a light affecting
public interests. and which it is the duty and
aim of this society to analyze and dispose of SO
as to accomplish the most good possible. Dur
ing the past year several important subjects
that coma within the province of our society
have been aeitated and brought to the attention
of the public. Some have borne fruit and 9TH
ers are bossoming preparatory to doing so in
the near future" Among the good results of
the societyS work the Dime Savings and Loan
Association is mentioned. Its purposes and
good work have been described at length in the
newspapers It started with nineteen deposit
tors, representing ninety six shares, and at the
end of six months there 166 depositors.
Thirty six have since been added, and over $50
shares have been subscribed for During the
last month thirty of the shareholders have
drawn out part of their funds to meet winter
requirements.
The committee also mentions its endeavor to
secure the passage of an act establishing State
Board of Correction and Charities, and states
that action upon the measure prevented by
the political complications in the Legislature
sulting in the deadlock between the Senate and
House. Had the report been submitted" the
committee says. sit certainly would have been
adopted. and the bill would have become law.
There can be no question about the need of such
a board in this STATE, and it be hoped that
the next Legislature will place Indiana in the
long list of States having such boards. Before
closing this report the committee desire to give
emphasis to what has already been said with
reference TO enlstng the cooperation of every
one In it's good work. No one should hesitate to
do all he TO help it on. The society is in
need of every good citizens counsel and advice,
and it is with the aid Of such that it hopes to
prosper and become lasting benefit TO this
community. The moro who become interested
in it, the effective its work. One may
have something to suggest that another will not
think Of In this way it hopes TO gather to-
gether the best thought of all looking to the at
taiDment of a common eud."
The district committee, in its report, said:
''Of the 672 applications for relief during the |
last year, 345-more than half-were refused,
unworthy of aid, able to take care of them
selves. To those not familiar with the methods |
of work these figures convey no idea of the time |
and labor which must be expended in investi- |
cation before case is pronounced unworthy. The |
greatest possible must he exercised by the |
visitors to gather ell the facts from all sources,
and it sometimes takes months to do this. On |
the report of these facts the decision of the com
miItoe Is uaSeu frequently LHOS6 WHO arc ro- l
fused aid after such investigation complain to |
persons who knowing nothing of the case be- |
ycnd the applicants statement, with mistaken |
zeal, take up cause they have not searched |
out, and arouse a great deal of sympathy for an |
utterly immoral and vicious individual |
instances for those under police /
surveillance. 1t happens that the |
township trustee and the charitable |
societies of the city often asked to contrib
to the support of those who utterly
worthy. The following are specimen |
Charity asked for who sick.
She had relatives owning property and able to |
care for her. The trustee, Benevolent Society |
and Flower Mission gave aid. and investigation |
ade into the facts and causes leading to
her condition. After more than seven months |
of careful search it was learned that her hus
band had died in the peuiten.iary of her
sons has served terms there. the women of her /